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I'm hungry and tired, distracted, and unable to commit to writing additional text for my great farce. I have been thinking about it more and more, though - so I hope that I make a go at it, finish it up, and send it for a prompt and meaningless rejection.

Fark has informed me that there are rumors that Paramount is considering a creative shake up for the Star Trek franchise. This is good news. Of course, my hopes tend to be the polar opposites of most of the internet nerds. I want to see a quality show, that functions independent of story arcs. I don't want another Babylon 5, 24, Alias, Buffy, whatever. You can package dime a dozen sci-fi shows into the arc format. I want something that goes back to the style of the original and the best of the next generation. I want to see a light hearted Enterprise that captures the excitement of space exploration, the joy of friendships, and can reflect on current political events without being overly forceful with it's political ballyhooing. The 60s were a time when network politics prevented the show from being heavy handed. The south refused to air an episode where Kirk kissed Uhura. Now, they like to pump PC or liberally biased television. At times, even TNG was heavy handed.

I watched a rerun tonight (as there was no scrubs and friends repeats are lame) and was very pleased at the hard lines the show took. It wasn't predictable, or preachy - up until the very end when Picard said "Brinkmanship is a dangerous game." Yes, I realize that, but it wasn't even really what the episode was about. It was about cultural differences and racial hate. It really resonated with the Bosnian conflict, and didn't need to be tied back so flagrantly to the Cuban missile crisis. That was Jim Kirk's domain. I prefer the subtleties of "the Balance of Terror" and "the corbomite Maneuver" in expressing anxieties about the cold war.

Hopefully the creative shakeup will result in a focus on heart felt and meaningful stories. Unfortunately, I suspect that they will play out to the geeks that want another series of progressive and complicated episodes set in a war. So much for Star Trek as a great vision of peace.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 9:54 PM

 
The stars are aligning to give the NYC trip some momentum. I hope that I can pull it off. Of course, I'm also hoping that I can land a job that will complicate the activity.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:35 PM

 
I pulled this sentance from a PKT newsletter. It filled me with immense joy.

"Recruitment Chair went to the aforementioned Keith Bourgoin, a surprise winner for the position that he “respectfully declined” last week after emitting a vociferous profanity in the direction of a bear."
posted by Ben at (0) comments 2:36 PM

 
I'm a bit tired. There's something about the cold that saps my energy. Couple that with an early morning interview in Framingham, and I'm tuckered out. I hope that the interview was as positive as I felt it to be. It could convert into a position that I would be very excited to hold.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 9:28 PM

 
I pulled this one from Zzyzx. In identifying states that I visited, I counted states that I have gotten out of the car and done something in. I did not count the corner of Delaware that I've driven through. I did however count Alabama, which I drove most of the length of and only stopped at a waffle house. I did not count being trapped in an airport (although I don't think that would change anything).



create your own visited states map
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:48 AM

 
The democratic debate was interesting. I think Edwards came out looking the strongest, with Kerry behind. Clark looked like an idiot, and Dean didn't loose or gain much ground. Kucinich made lucent and intelligent points in the beginning, but descended to socialist babbling madness and graphs that no one could read by the end. Al Sharpton is a funny man. He has some great ideas, and some insightful points. With a few simple words, he managed to convince me to drop the state by state concept of dealing with gay marriage and expect a national result. Its one of the few times that I've seen the ghost of slavery brandied about in an intelligent and effective manner.

Interestingly, I learned that my father has independently developed a stance on civil unions that is essentially identical to my own. I think that he went there a different way. Instead of separating the church and the state, he starts from the fact that the term civil union is implicitly discriminatory if only applied to homosexuals.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:26 PM

 
"The Louisiana Purchase was a hell of a deal" - Jake Cinninger
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:11 AM

 
Hartman is one sneaky fellow. Somehow, while he's halfway around the world in Iraq he managed to twist my aim jokes about Kucinich into a really strong interest in primary activity. I ended up checking out some schedules and saw that John Kerry was going to be in Nashua at noon. So I went. His stump speech was good, but not all that new or groundbreaking. I did appreciate seeing the throngs of media folk, and the conversations I had with Jason, my new found pilot friend and some reporters. I was interviewed by Time, a student journalist, and the Christian Science monitor.

She sat next to me, so I also had a chance tio interview her. She's been following the campaign for a while, and did some serious time in Iowa. I asked her what she thought of Lieberman and Clark's decisions to skip Iowa and concentrate in NH? I think the unexpected results indicated that they might have given some momentum to some dangerous people. She laughed about Lieberman, but seemed to think that Clark had very good reasons to skip Iowa. He entered the race late and didn't have the organization to tackle the caucus state. However, the results indicated that organization in Iowa wasn't as key as it had been thought to be. Her final verdict was that in hindsight, he'd probably made a mistake.

Journalists have to report the facts and craft a story. She's too young to get much of a chance to editorialize, and it was clear that she enjoyed my interest in her opinions. Of course, Kate need not worry, as I was unshowered and in yesterday's clothing. A string of misadventures involving being on hold with the salvation army, exercise, and IMing had gobbled up too much of my morning.

Pilot Jason was an interesting fellow, with tales of living in Florida ut not voting in the 2000 election and regretting it. He also had hard luck employment and healthcare tales, and a really friendly demeanor. I tried explaining the problem of million dollar monkeys, but it didn't seem worthwhile. He refined his complaints to the $100 aspirin and ice visits. I can't dispute that outrageousness.

On my way home I stopped at the funeral home to pick up my grandmother's death certificates. The young lady that helped me seemed to have limitless wisdom and compassion behind her blue eyes. I would have thought that constant dealing with death on a business level would result in some hard hearted Vietnam-veteran syndrome. The possibility of using it to inspire reflection and enlightenment really never crossed my mind. I want to know her secrets. What could it be? Maybe I'll see her somewhere doing some thing sometime and ask.... Maybe next time I won’t be in a hurry to clean myself and eat lunch, and I’ll become the reporter with the short hand and a thin note pad.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:07 PM

 
I had a long day of crappy work at Sofft shoe, a nice lunch with Rhonda and Carla, but the things that I am most interested in documenting in some sort of abbreviated bullet form are today's political news.

1) John Kerry takes Iowa! While I am still disappointed that there is some sort of electoral process before the first in the nation primary, I was pleased with the results. John Kerry is a stand up guy who's backed by a lot of chocolate money. No one will complain when he cuts Hershey's some sweetheart deals and kisses appear all over D.C. He is also a very articulate veteran. Unfortunately, I think he is a little too anti-Iraq. Bush was more tactless than reckless in his failure to develop consent within the U.N. Maybe he should have put less stock in WMD and more in Saddam's a jerk and has to go... He is continuing to violate terms x,y,z of the treaty which ended the war. This treaty was ratified in the UN, blah blah blah. He also should have expected France and Germany to be whiney, and given them time to flip flop.

2. Good Bye Dickie G! Dick Gephardt is no Henry Clay. He will never be president, despite multiple attempts - but he lacks the class and virtue of the great compromiser. I don't really agree with him on a lot of issues, and see him as more of a cookie cutter democrat than an interesting or viable candidate. Hopefully he backs Kerry soon to bolster numbers in NH.

3. The State of The Union - When did G.W. decide that the most important policy speech of the year ought to be filled with air craft carrier pep-rally rhetoric, and campaign propaganda instead of a concrete policy vision. This was a big step down from last year. Yes he talked about the war on terror, but didn't really say where it was going. I liked most of the education initiatives, but felt that they were the only part flushed out in detail. Drug testing in schools? Maybe. I'm not sure that I like it but its an idea worth discussing.

I also support faith-based charities. The Salvation Army, and to a lesser extent the Red Cross are faith based charitable organizations. Why can't others receive grants to serve Americans? I don't think the grants are appropriate for paying a minister, but do believe that a Catholic church that runs a soup kitchen / shelter ought to be able to receive the same grant money as a secular organization. I'd like to hear some counter arguments that are not based on a general fear of god or religion. Acceptance of religion as a part of peoples lives does not by definition make one a right wing fanatic. Its rather narrow-minded to group with Jesse Helms, all religious people, or people who recognize that spirituality is a strong component in some folks lives.

As for a constitutional measure to ban gay marriage, I say let us begin more open political discussions on the subject. The amendment process is certainly one way to involve a large number of citizens. It is not a decision that ought to be made by "activist judges" (the best phrase in the whole speech). If the American people are going to accept gay marriage or it's dismissal, they must be involved in the decision.

My belief stands that marriage is a word that contains too significant of a religious component to be strictly legislative by the government. I accept that churches are free to deny homosexuals the sacrament of marriage. However, I believe that the federal government must respect an individuals right to couple and accord homosexual partnerships the same legal rights and obligations as heterosexual partnerships.

Shortly after there is gay marriage, there will be gay divorce. Of course, I think that efforts could be made to increase the difficulty of the divorce process. The government should not look at it as a practice as common and acceptable as wedding. A marriage license is not a certificate authorizing sex, to be renewed annually. It should not be treated as such.

4. The Toyota Prius: My brother went to a dealership investigating this hybrid car that, as far as I can tell, is powered by love. Apparently there is a 5 month wait to get one of these things, because there is no effective way to manufacture them. My stance on the Prius, is that I'd rather be driving my station wagon. You can make fun of the door locking, or the fact that the electrical system eats speedometers and turn signals, but I accept these shortcomings and truly enjoy the ride offered by my car.

posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:53 PM

 
With grace of timing, and relative ease, my grandmother has passed from this world. Ripples of sadness are still rolling around, but I try to focus on the joy. It was her time. She spared us the perplexing ethical conundrums of nursing home care. She waited until after we'd cleaned out her apartment, so that could be a more relaxed and premeditated task. As I understand it, she went peacefully in her sleep as my mother and uncle were waking for a nighttime drink of water. I was in Boston, and can only imagine how those moments waltzed with joy and sadness.

She is free, and risen, and her metaphysical questions answered. After 10 years, she can be with her husband.

My sadness comes from contemplations of the lasts... moments of strife, and discomfort - the good byes which weren't expected to be permanent. I'm glad that I spent some quality time with her through the years, up to a day before she passed. I hold onto some shred of a smile, and potential recognition as her proud farewell. I didn't recognize it then, but she must have known. If she grasped nothing else, she'd have clung to the concept that her time had come. It was the one thing she had left to do. 88 years is a full life. She'd seen two world wars, the rise of electronics, plastics, medicine and science. Of course, she'd always supported more traditional tings - drama, literature, and theology. They were the immutable substance of truth. I hope that I can foster a similar appreciation for them, and in doing so remember her. Oh the memories... golden cherished, tear jerking... blessed be the peace that has come for you. This is my time to grieve, at the keyboard. She was a writer, and certainly helped raise that interest in me... from editiing my paltry seventh grade attempt at a Star Trek script to debating the fundamentals of poetry, and the marketability of the art. I remembered the evening that it was just the two of us at the lake, and we skipped our planned dinner to eat Mrs. Johnson's homemade bread and cheese. I sliced some of Kate's loaf, and some cheese once again to feast with teh memory. Let it not be lost.

I know that there is good in this universe, and hope. Although you'd long wondered why you were lingering here. I remember, in youth suggesting that one remained as long as there were things to learn or things to teach. In these final weeks, I wondered what was left for you - I had learned so much. I was ready to graduate from your class, and let the teacher retire. Perhaps in passing, there are lessens to remember - hopefully it serves to bring a spreading family closer. I'm sure that I'll recall these last days when I am older, caring for my parents. I hope that you'll have taught my what to expect, and how to derive joy from a simple glance - if it s all that I may receive. That is hat I want to master: the art of appreciating each moment for all of its infinite beauties. Sadness, depression, and dreams all have their parts to play. I love life, and am so glad to have shared it with you. May we meet again in some after life, or future incarnation. I know we believe in both, but never really reconciled the logistics. May peace and enlightenment fill our souls during this parting.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:07 PM

 
Between the billiards and reflections upon my parents mortality, in the light of my increasing frail grandmother, I've had an interesting two days. Distilling the poignant essence from an emotional day, amidst detailing the tomfoolery associated with Brian's Jillian’s party will be cumbersome, and frankly unlikely. I'm not sure that I want to open up so deeply in cyberspace.

Fact: Jillian’s Boston skimps on appetizers even more than Jillian’s Cleveland. Two platters with no more 15 wings each, a few veggies and some chips + salsa and dip. It wouldn't feed 25 people if they just came from a buffet. It was nice that the staff was sufficiently incompetent to botch our table assignments twice so that the manager moved us to a private lounge in the back. We had our own big screen, tables and some privacy. I'm also not a huge fan of the great expanse of billiards that is the second floor. It needs more seating.

Sol Azteca: Tasty, but pricey.

I also read online that at lunchtime on Thursday it was warmer at the mars rover site, on Mars, than it was in downtown Boston. Hippies, where is my global warming? Oh that's right. It's an ill-defined, scientifically unproven hypothesis. My mistake.

I picked up my Uncle in Chinatown, fresh off of the bus. Driving those streets is an adventure. I had three near accidents in 10 minutes. Fortunately, they were all in the loop prior to spotting my Uncle.

Today was also my mothers birthday. Coupling knowledge of her increasing age with the experience of seeing my grandmother in an incoherent, and almost irresponsive state really prompted meditations on the importance of spending quality time with my folks while they are still living and able. It also made me want to speed up my life timetable such that my children could grow to know them - and so that my parents can enjoy seeing their line progress. I guess the speeding up is not necessary really, as I feel profoundly influenced by a grandfather that passed away when I was in the seventh grade.

Maybe, i want to demonstrate that I learned good parenting skills from them. I'm not sure. It's an emotional hairball, lodged in my throat.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:02 PM

 
While at Steve Kings getting my state inspection, I had plenty of opportunity for reading. I made some significant headway into Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion". I picked up the book after some RMP recommendation, and a deeper longing in my soul for some additional prankstering. I know Marling warned that the drugs really brought Kesey down after "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" but I didn't really have a concept of how.

In reading it, I can see how drug literature post-modernism gave birth to the loathsome contemporary Dave Eggars post-modernism. The acid, hallucinations and acceptances of multiple realities - and the subjectivity of truth certainly is a common groundwork for the entire movement. Unfortunately, in this text I begin to see similarities of technique emerge. "Nor is chronological reporting by any means the most truthful (each camera has its own veracity) especially when, in good faith, one cannot truthfully claim to remember what happened accurately..."

Yes, the delightful lampoon and effective translation of the encounter with Marley's Ghost from a Christmas Carol to reflect some Dickensian themes. Unfortunately, the Thomas Wolf reference (a character saying that he was setting out to disprove Thomas Wolfe - by actually going home again) was a bit snobby and unnecessarily obscurist.

I understand taht this novel was bubbling up in Kesey's mind as a string of bizarre associations, but some how I think that there is too much dissonance. the technique might be new and innovative, but its signal to noise ratio is worse.

Now if Post-modernism has been going on for 30 years, when will the literary movement need? How will it end. The commercialization of literature prevents a popular uprising from shifting the focus of academics. PoMo was the last major period to ride in on such an up swell, riding on the coattails of the Beat movement - which had captured student interest, publishers were willing to experiment with youth literature and drug literature. Today the establishment sees the marketable airport reading, and sees obscurest academic work. There is no middle ground for Harlan Ellison to tread upon, with thought provoking but not especially popular work. There is no ground that is fertile for new ideas. the academics want to maintain their elite status quo, while the publishers want to print only books that will be picked up at a rate of no less than 1 an hour from any given Hudson News.

I'm hazy on the mean of the new movement, but I am certain that it will be a return to realism, an affirmation of the importance of character and plot. Hopefully it will dispense with contemporary formalisms, and instead explore the way writing can capture the chaotic essence of experience without sacrificing its connection to a larger picture. Someday, the sound and the furry will signify something. Someday, the establishment will stop letting life be a tale told by an idiot. Someday....

yes, I realize that was a blatant Shakespeare reference – but my point is not dependant on recognizing it as Shakespeare, unless you want to read into it a couple levels and get at some irony. Yes, there is virtue locked in recognizing that reference, but it is not offensive to those who don’t. It is not a joke played upon the ignorant. Unless we’re calling the contemporary PoMos ignorant. In which case, they are the butt of all of my jokes.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:56 PM

 
Now the grammys have finally done something that might provide some interesting musical performaces: "an exclusive, GRAMMY segment dedicated to funk, featuring OutKast, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band" I've also read reports that there will be significant crosspollination.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:42 PM

 
After a brief respite reading some William Carlos Williams, I am amazed at the simple elegance of written expression describing nothing. How the craft of writing can banish the monotony, and ease the chore of daily life. Careful control of perspective and diction can find the iron beauty, elemental to this earth. It guides the compasses of contented. Keats may claim "Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know" but alas the equation is not so simple. Truth and beauty are guised by apparitions of expectation. Rust may veil such simple things, as constant jealousy, sloth, and self-denial corrode the very framework of happiness.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:27 PM

 
Today I learned that there's an Arab proverb: "man fears time but time fears the pyramids." That basically sums up my day. Damn you history channel! Damn you internet! Damn you joblessness!

I didn't squander my day watching the tele. That was just during lunch, and ancillary relaxation. I burnt it beating the trail for jobs, doing some errands, and trying to find some fishing lures for my mom. The ones she wants aren’t at sports authority, or wal mart. Maybe they'll be at Pete’s gun and tackle. I hope so, or I'll need to re-energize my creativity.

I managed to write thank you notes. I just need to address and send those. I can handle that tomorrow.

I'd hoped to write some informed piece about Bush's space policy, but I didn't take the time to do the research. All can do is ramble about the ill conceived rhetoric of some of the more vocal opponents. I don't understand how someone can complain about space related expenditures, and then demand increased government stimulation of the economy. Do they honestly think that burning billions of dollars for fuel propels trips to the moon and mars? It might make a nice fire, but money isn't rocket fuel. The billions of dollars are direct stimulus promoting ends that are not yet suited for private business.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:10 PM

 
I watched it yesterday, but I must say that Digital Dust Episode 13 is very good, despite some rather silly questions. I'll have to download the Vermont Alternative Energy Fest show... as I don't really have any AOD from after they figured out how to mix the band so that they sounded like somthing more than a Strangefolk cover group.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 5:03 PM

 
Phish To Return To Studio Next Month
Last updated on: Monday, January 12, 2004


Fresh off its well-received, yearlong comeback following a two –year hiatus,
Phish will next month head into the studio to record with Grammy-winning
engineer Tchad Blak, who has lent his distinctive touch to acclaimed albums by
Sheryl Crow, Los Lobos, Tom Waits, Soul Coughing and The Bad Plus. Blake will
then mix the album, tentatively scheduled for release this summer (most likely
followed by a tour), at world music-influenced pop star Peter Gabriel's Real
World Studios in England.

"That's really exciting for us, " Phish keyboardist Page McConnell said in a
recent phone interview. "We've been working with a lot of the same folks over
the last three or four albums, so it's nice to have someone who's going to
have new opinions and fresh perspectives."

Source - Burlington Free Press - January 12, 2004


----
Rumors of a European tour should be reinforced by the idea that the band will be over there anyway. I've also heard that there will be a lot of guests on this record including Santana, Walfredo (yes, the walfredo), Dave Mathews, Emmy Lou Harris, Bela Fleck (guesting on his 3rd? 4th? Phish record), and some others. It's purported that the record will include new material, and some songs that have been around from as far back as 1989. Hmmm.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:31 PM

 
With but a few moments of self-reflection between myself and the sack, I am trying to avoid a horrific summary entry. Yes, I did some stuff this weekend,. and some stuff today. But what of it? If I read this in teh future, will I care that it snowed today? Will it matter that this was the weekend that I saw Big Fish? The movie didn't change my life that much. It was ok, but it didn't grab me as much as I'd like until the end. I agree with some RMP speculation that Billy Cudrup should have been Johny Depp. Changing the tone of his character ever so slightly would have speared me from analyzing the film as a post-modern treatise. It's a fine thing to do, but I'd ratWith but a few moments of self-reflection between myself and the sack, I am trying to avoid a horrific summary entry. Yes, I did some stuff this weekend,. and some stuff today. But what of it? If I read this in the future, will I care that it snowed today? Will it matter that this was the weekend that I saw Big Fish? The movie didn't change my life that much. It was ok, but it didn't grab me as much as I'd like until the end. I agree with some RMP speculation that Billy Crudup should have been Johnny Depp. Changing the tome of his character ever so slightly would have speared me from analyzing the film as a post-modern treatise. It's a fine thing to do, but I'd rather not sacrifice the experience of fine thing to do, but I'd rather do it after the fact - or with the dvd instead of when I am just trying to enjoy it.

Little effort or analysis were applied to the $2 kids screening of Muppets from Space. Muppets, a block or two away? How could we not.

Juts to finish the summary crap. I also watched some football. The Pats advance (check) and at leats I am assured that there will be another season for Bret Favre. My heartfelt allegiance is towards the pack, over the pats but I'll salvage what I can of the weekend. Here's for a super bowl with New England 21, Philadelphia 13.

One thing is that in the weekends bitter cold, Kate and I spent a lot of time playing video games. These are fun past times for an hour or so, but not substantive entertainment. It\ only inspired my lust for the road, for adventure and experience. Even a weekend where we do things like museums or hiking can seem tame, but never has the unpredictable road. Bort musings indicating that a mid west contingent will be representin' for the Joshua Redman shows is only tempting me to go to New York, and even causing me to consider the irrational trip to Baltimore for the Saturday show. I am became madness, in pursuit of rock.

Of course, positive reviews of the first jam cruise only fule the fire (although I think the line up for the second cruise is much stronger than week 1 aside from UM’s notable absence).

The quest for rock is not something that is limited to the concert experience. It is a directed, motivated travel with a defined, and enjoyable evening entertainment. Different cities have different crowds. ---- Going to NYC to see the UM would mean that there will be more obnoxious Yankees fans than in Danbury….. grrrrrrrr These people kill crowd energy with violent drunkenness and feelings of entitlement. I much prefer the mellow west coast crowds.
posted by Ben at (1) comments 10:04 PM

 
Alien's Cause Global Warming A Speech by Michael Chrichton to an audience at Cal Tech.

This was my thought provoking reading for the day. It's about neither aliens, nor global warming - but about the relationship between science, quasi-science and public policy. It's certainly an encouraging read after hearing the news declare that some 1 million species will go extinct in the next 50 years as a result of the ill defined concept of Global Warming. I am an environmentalist. I attended an institution that has been espousing the virtues of environmentalism since, at the latest, 1908.

""The work of conservation is the work of the engineer" - Charles S. Howe: President, Case School of Applied Science, 1908

I support notions of conservation, environmental protection, park land, and wildlife sanctuary. However, I recognize that evangelical fervor should not eclipse logic, reason and economics necessity. Environmental impact and economic benefit need to be considered and evaluated objectively.

My brother would be inclined to oppose any proposal that involved the cutting of a tree. While I despise the tree less subdivisions, which are cancerous blights nearing metastasis, I understand that some trees must fall at the hands of progress.

As a chemical engineer, I have been trained to consider the emissions of a large-scale chemical plant and its impact on the environment. I can simply say, that zero emission plants are ideal - but impractical. Separations are the most difficult unit operations. That’s why we flare some nasty chemicals. Ugly organic molecules go into the fire, and come out more benign than the emissions escaping a tree loving VW bus. It's not a separation, but a product of our friend complete combustion.

Enough ranting - Science and public policy is a confusing issue. IU like the idea of an independent research administration. There would be a bit of a quandary over how technology transfer should be governed by such an organization? Why would a corporation fund research, if it couldn't profit from the conclusions? Research isn't a no risk investment, but it certainly shouldn't be without potential reward.

I guess I'm out of steam. If I get bored or motivated, I'm going to photoshop a parody for the X-Files I want to believe poster involving global warming, dirty hippies and maybe even wook #19.
posted by Ben at (1) comments 10:51 AM

 

Driving to and from Killington in wither weather was an adventure. The abominable I-89, which begins at I-93 and intersects I-91 defying all concepts of naming convention, was a corridor of blinding snow both ways. Driving through VT, was as normal, nearly impossible. Fortunately, it was all worthwhile. An evening hanging out with some brothers, and a day skiing Vermont's best were truly enjoyable. At least, it was for me. It was an experience punctuated by stew. Vince cooked dinner on night one, a beef stew with a little Number 9. Food prep in the condo was certainly an economic boon, given the printed menu process for many of the restaurants on Killington Road. You certainly would pay for the convenience.

While I appreciated the convenience of staying in a condo so close to the ski lodge, I'm not sure it justified the expense. I'm a rugged individualist, who'd consider camping as a possible alternative. Mmmm winter. The Trail Creek condo was nice, although tricky to find in the maze of a resort village.

It was great to meet new guy Matt. He's a fine addition. Even post Opera crash, I can't find an interesting and articulate way to express the ebullient swapping of stories, reminiscing, and general air of jollity that pervaded our condo at night. Yes, there was some Halo - but I didn't play until after we'd skied and were waiting for Evan to force Killington's hand ins a money saving scheme. Videogames are a pleasant way to pass time, but aren't entirely engaging social activities. No one tells stories while they are sniping each other. It just doesn't work.

Oddly enough, I was most interested in discussing future plans and seeing how the chapter is preparing for its future. Talk of spring break planning has begun, with a return to PCB seeming most likely. Hopefully, they nix the video games. Evan was complaining about not meeting any interesting coeds during Killington's college week, but not making many efforts to go out - away from the video games. While the hospitality of the environs differs substantially between PCB and Killington, I’m wary that effortless videogames too easily distract from risk taking and adventurous social engagement. They're fine at home, but not so grand on the road.

We woke up late and made it to the Ski area shortly after lifts opened (people are slow). I liked the convenience of the close condos but I don't think it's economically ideal. Of course, I'd consider camping a potential alternative. I'm a bit daft.

The conditions were good, with lots of fresh snow on a solid base. There were some icy patches, but nothing it was only bad on a couple trails. I really relaxed and enjoyed the amorphous skiing opportunities, as one mountain connected to the next with lengthy trails. The lift lines were nice and short and the gondolas quite fast. Yes, the mountain claimed one of our own - but it was assisted by general tomfoolery. Fortunately, Mark wasn't too troubled by his injury until Midday - after which he chilled in the lodge and listened to a Dave Mathew's cover band. We skied onward together, and in groups of ability having many adventures. Stratis and I were surprised by a trail closing. It switched over to Race mode leaving us riding one of the connecting trails toward another mountain. We found a trail in the wood, and hoped that it would connect us to something that would help us reach our rally point. Tree-skiing isn’t either of our specialties, so there was much toil and tumble. Of course, my skis with the bindings calibrated a little too lightly popped off whenever I tried to turn in fresh snow. That technical difficulty had lead us apart from Vinnie and Jake to begin with, as they were going to repeat a newly opened fresh snow trail - which had popped my ski 6-7 times. Once we were out of the woods, we found ourselves amidst a sloping minefield of danger. It was an apparently closed, but slightly used, black diamond mogul trail.. Huge mounds of snow and ice challenged us for the remainder of our slow descent.

We celebrated the culmination of a great day, and their ski trip by dining out at McGrath's Irish Pub (the cheapest thing in miles) where many of us enjoyed a hearty Guinness stew served with delicious raisin bread. the bread also popped up in a double chocolate, cream form as a dessert. It was an appropriate denouement, set in a room built around a mountain with a granite couch, and a delightful slab of rock beside the empty stage.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:22 AM

 
In my raving rant of madness, with the overly abbreviated Sunday I somehow omitted the tale of The Tap. All week, the river has been playing an add for the newly re-opened brewpub in Haverhill - with particular mention of a winter ale which is a honey ginger porter. How could it be bad?

We headed to The tap on our way to Kate's place for dinner. I was impressed by the atmosphere of history in this classy establishment - turn of the century murals, and furniture were the back drop for an exciting pub meal. Kate ordered the porter
(which was strong an tasty) while I had the surprisingly complex Haverale. She ordered the fish and chips, complimenting the beer batter while I had a veggie quesidilla - stuffed with tasty goodness.

The whole experience reminded me that I need to recruit beer buddies in Hudson - not drinking buddies, necessarily, but people who enjoy a good beer. Mmmmm beer. We shall return. It's the best brewpub experience that I've had in the Northeast. Number two over all (behind the Big Horse and above the Great Lakes )
posted by Ben at (0) comments 11:04 AM

 
With a Brownie Mary back beat, I'll try to distill the past weekend down to some fleeting phrases. Little, hurried words will sketch out shifty graphite memories. It was a weekend of travel, moving both mind body and spirit. Amidst calls unto the void, and the comings and goings of life those that were once distant drifted closer. The bonds of family were tested and found to be firm.

Friday, Kate and answered the call of the frosty peaks. We went to the Wiley Ridge to Climb Tom and Field, as well as Willy - if timing and conditions permitted. Our ascent was amidst a gentle snow fall, obscuring many views - and always cloaking the great summits of the presidentials. When we weren't amidst a cloud, they were embodied with a power mystery. We could see to their shoulders- above the tree line to the hints of rugged white beauty - but could not see the termination and culmination of natural forces. Like Orthanc in many of Peter Jackson's shot's, the poignancy of the base is sufficient imagery to stir sublime notions of wonder. While it didn’t provide a Chuck Theodore photographic moment. From the summit of Avalon, we felt all of our efforts justified.

It was a cold day in the mountains, but our trails were well tread. Unfortunately, the most difficult section was the ridge between field and Willy. Unlike many of the gradual, seemingly effortless ridges in the whites. This 1.5 mile passage rose and fell, a breathing ridge, that quickened our respiration far more than expected. the steeps were challenging, and less secure than the rest of the hard packed snow we tread upon.

We did encounter a pointing dog, and more hikers trying to bag the three 4000 ftrs. Of course, most of them had two vehicles, parked at either end of the ridge eliminating the ridge repeat - but omitting Avalon’s sweet view.

We returned home to a weak Joan of Arcadia, and a cryptic message from a "Ben" with a Bravada that had been to the house before and had a 440 number... After some confusion, I'd concluded that it was Vince reaching across the void.

I saw my cousin Darci, for the first time in years on Saturday as we went to visit my increasingly frail Grandmother at her new nursing home. While there was apparent effort to reconnect, my grandmother was rather hard hit by the drowsy side effects of a new medication. It was still nice to gather the family, and strengthen my appreciation for her husband. He's an upstanding fellow. I look forward to dining with them in the north end.

Driving to the movies, Kate contacted super V - and plans to head to Killington began to emerge.

We saw the House of Sand and Fog. The performances were excellent, but the story more tragic than I had hoped. I also could have used more reasons to like Jennifer Connelly’s character. Her rack can only carry her so far... Regardless, it was a much better move than the oft-discussed Cold Mountain. It didn't sacrifice chronology to avoid telling the story(although the first scene isn't exactly explained or linear). Now, if I could splice the two movies together - I'd have something awesome - based mostly on The House of Sand and Fog but set outside of Seattle, instead of San Francisco so I could shoot it in Europe. The Urals look much more like the Cascades and Olympics than they do the southern Appalachians. Jennifer Connelly’s character would be out - replaced by a slightly updated version of Rene Zelwigger's Ruby. The annoying "I didn't open my mail" failing would be nixed, as Ruby was trekking about the high peaks while her mail was held at the Post Office. I'd also find a way to bring Jude Law and Natalie Portman into my uber movie - but I'm not quite sure how yet.

I should note that sometime during the last paragraph, I stopped listening to Collide and popped in Phish's 4/4/98 show from Providence and I'm amidst a 16:40 Tweezer that served as the show opener.

After the movie Kate and I went to the Chateau. It's a fine Italian place, near meadowbrook. We drank Shipyard's winter ale while waiting fora table, so we could reverse orders from our last visit. We're suckers for the special menu (which includes a free soup/salad) and din't seem to change. Mmmm toasted ravioli's and baked manicotti. The winter ale wasn't as dark as we'd hoped - but it proved interesting.

Late in the evening I received a call from Stratus confirming ski plans.

Sunday was a day of joy and shame. Kate and I thought the packers would be on at 4, and missed their triumph. I brought my cheesehead to boston and everything.... next week. Down with the Eagles!!!

Mario Kart Double Dash is quite fun, but extremely complicated. I don't think the maps are quite as enjoyable as the N64 version - but we'll see how they grow on me.

Chears to the Simpsons

Chears to Vince
Chears to Killington
Viva Phi Kappa Tau

posted by Ben at (0) comments 10:03 AM

 
In a rather inspired bit of mind wandering, I have decided to use the blogger engine to power my often-dormant quest for the Ultimate beverage. While my meandering journal is an exhibitionary look at my life that is of interest only to myself, and a few people that know me or are regular visitors. - Who has a Net1plus IP? Who are you? - I can produce more meaningful and attractive content in an easily updated form. I'm too much of a procrastinator to go to work on this project now, but perhaps in the coming week.

Here's my initial prototype entry.

The Ginger People: Ginger Beer

As a pleasant surprise, my buddy Ben tied some fancy ribbon around the handle of a four pack of this brew and called it a Christmas gift. It was most unexpected, and quite appreciated.

After a a lunch out with some friends, we came back to his place to sample some of the fine beverage. The cloudy white brew offers an immediate aroma of ginger. It's interplay with the palate is surprisingly complex as the tastes of ginger, lemon and sugar dance creating a pleasant and refreshing ginger beer. It is a subtle, relaxing drink. It offers significant improvements to the typical Jamaican style and is well worth sampling. Interestingly, its ingredienst don't boats of lemon - so the fruity flavor must be derived from the pressed ginger juice.

Ben picked up the four pack in Milwaukee, but it is brewed in California. The fine Ginger people have a reasonable web-order system with affordable shipping costs. If I can't find it in stores in New England, I'll quickly become a patron. There's something about web ordering that seems to be cheating. I enjoy the hunt too much. However, I must try their Lemon Ginger Beer, as I can't imagine a more perfect balance between fruit and ginger flavors than that in their original recipe.

posted by Ben at (0) comments 9:29 AM

 


I had started pounding out a post-nye entry on Thursday, but my computer is having a serious bout of the crashes, and ate my entry. Kate woke up, and I went about my day, went hiking the next day, and didn't turn on my computer until just about now. NYE with the assembly of dust was nice. Live Music is always enjoyable, especially when it's from such an emotional and talented band.

The NYE show was more of a straightforward rocker than the 30th. There was less Nate, and more emphasis on jamming to peaks. That's fine. I like rocking out as much as anybody. The most tangible treat was the second set where there are a number of really sweet acoustic tunes (well as acoustic as they could get, John on a viola bass and Nate on the mp-9000's most realistic piano setting). A real piano would never fit on the stage. During the electrified finish, the guitar player frm Jiggle and the accoustic duo that opened on the 30th sat in for some interesting interpretations of classic songs. The guitar duels were hot, and his additional licks during verses added some extra dimension.

Club Liquid is a bit of a hole. The room has potential, but the stale mass-produced beer and over priced drinks don't entice me to say fine things of the establishment.

Here's some set lists.

12-30-03
Lost and Amazed, Mudspring Draw, Poland, Paul Henry, New Real Rhythm, Elixir, Tavern Walker, Revelry

Set II: Borrowed Feet, Songs We Sing, Corpus Christi, Stouthearted, King Harvest, Sinner, Heartblood, The Harrower

Enc: Hell's Kitchen, Fountain


12-31-03
Set I: Samuel Aging, Valhalla, Burned Down, Skyline, Dance, Zero To The Skin, Amplified Messiah

Set II: Sideways Train@, 45 Degrees@, Sidestep Blue@, The Honest Hour@, Etta James@, Sometimes*, Angel From Montgomery*, Rachel*

Set III: Avenue of the Giants, Cabin John, Bus Driver, Honey Creeper, Love Junkie, Otis, Stone Choir

Enc: Things That Fly, Love The One You're With, Westerly > Will It Go Round In Circles > Westerly

Notes: @ Acoustic. * With Gary Backstrom on guitar.

Will it Go Round in Circles wasn't the full song. It was just enough to bring Westerly to a quick peak. The NYE countdown was during Cabin John, Reid repeated the "Do you know what time it is?" line a bit before singing about welcoming us to the new year and doing a count down. It was nice. Auld Lang Syne was not played, as Nate jammed on it extensively the previous evening.

posted by Ben at (0) comments 7:09 AM